New England Dispatches

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State police continue their search for a truck that was carrying a mattress that fell onto Route 128 in Burlington and caused a fatal crash.

Police on Wednesday also released the names of the victims of the crash that occurred at about 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Fifty-six-year-old Frida Litvak of Framingham slammed on her brakes to avoid the twin mattress in the southbound lanes and was struck from behind by a pickup truck driven by 43-year-old Andrew Lawendowski of Charlton.

Litvak died and Lawendowski suffered minor injuries. Both were wearing seat belts.

Police are looking for what they describe as a dump truck with a white cab and a dark bed that was carrying several mattresses. Two men were believed to be in the cab.

NORWOOD, Mass.

Police say dog walker found body in woods near school

Authorities say someone walking a dog in Norwood stumbled upon a dead body dumped in the woods behind the Coakley Middle School.

Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said investigators are trying to determine the identity of the victim whose remains suffered massive trauma.

Morrissey and Norwood Police Chief William Brooks said there are indications that the victim was not killed at the small wooded area and investigators are searching for the primary crime scene. They ask the public for information on any location with significant blood or other indications that it may be where the killing occurred.

Authorities say the dog walker discovered the body after the pet reacted to the presence of the dead body just behind the tree line not far from the school property.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.

Man who forced himself on women’s feet held again

A man convicted of sneaking up behind women and licking their feet and toes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island is being held without bail in Providence for probation violations.

Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced Wednesday that Raymond Dublin is accused of violating terms of his probation by leaving sexually explicit notes and voice messages to women in North Attleboro, Mass, and not complying with sex offender counseling. A hearing is set for Feb. 12.

The 46-year-old Dublin man was previously convicted of rape, assault and failing to register as a sex offender. He also pleaded guilty to forcing himself on women’s feet.

In 2003, a Massachusetts district court heard that one victim had three separate encounters with Dublin in one month and that the woman was “extremely annoyed.”

STORRS, Conn.University has new mascot after older dog gets skittish

The University of Connecticut is getting a new top dog.

The school’s all-white husky mascot, Jonathan XIII, is retiring after serving in the position since 2008. Officials say the dog has become a bit skittish around crowds.

Jonathan XIV, a 3-month-old black and white Siberian husky, was introduced to the school’s board of trustees Wednesday.

The school has had a live mascot since 1935. The dog was named Jonathan after Colonial Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, and each successive mascot has kept that moniker. Its care is funded through private donations.

FITCHBURG, Mass.

Lingerie model resumes job as teacher’s aide after leave

A Fitchburg teacher’s aide who’d been placed on paid administrative leave after it was discovered she moonlighted as a bikini and lingerie model is back at work.

Superintendent Andre Ravenelle announced that 23-year-old Kaitlin Pearson was notified Monday she could return to work and resumed her duties Tuesday helping special needs students at an elementary school.

Ravenelle said in a statement that Pearson was reinstated after the school reviewed “all relevant information.”

Pearson was suspended last week after someone anonymously sent a package of her racy photos to Ravenelle and the local newspaper.

The story ignited a debate on what was appropriate in teachers’ private lives.

Pearson has not responded to messages for comment, but her father told WBZ-TV his daughter loves her job and is happy to be back.

EAST BROOKFIELD, Mass.

Neighbor who shot dog with arrow will pay bills

An Oakham man who shot his neighbor’s dog with an arrow has agreed to pay $5,400 in veterinarian’s bills.

Byron Carpenter also lost his hunting license for one year after reaching a plea deal Tuesday in Western Worcester District Court on charges of discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, causing property damage with a hunting weapon and maiming an animal.

Authorities say the 36-year-old Carpenter shot the border collie-Labrador mix in the front leg in a wooded area on Oct. 23 because of he was sick of hearing it bark.

Carpenter told investigators he shot what he thought was a coyote coming after him in the darkness.

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